Rigid-flex PCB cost estimator

Part of the rigid-flex circuit board resource.

Ballpark estimate, not a quotation

The estimator organizes the geometric and process inputs that make an RFQ useful. A dollar range appears only when the site operator has calibrated and enabled a manufacturing cost model. Until then, the tool returns your construction summary and the relevant cost drivers without inventing a market price. The exact quotation must come from a manufacturing partner after reviewing the same design revision and the requested acceptance requirements.

Enter the bounding dimensions and order quantity

Width and length describe the overall flat bounding rectangle in millimeters. Quantity is the number of finished boards in the batch. The product of width and length is converted to square centimeters by dividing by 100. This is a planning area; it does not calculate usable panel yield. Long tails, unusual outlines, grain orientation, spacing, support features, and production tooling can all change the number of good circuits produced from a panel.

Describe the construction consistently

Rigid-region layer count includes the flexible copper layers embedded in that region. The flexible count indicates how many continue through the flex span. HDI, finish, expedited schedule, and controlled-impedance selections identify additional work to discuss. The tool does not determine whether a proposed stack is manufacturable or whether the schedule is available. Those questions remain part of engineering and production review.

How a calibrated model is calculated

The model separates a setup allowance, an area baseline, incremental layer construction, an HDI increment, finish and test allowances, and an optional schedule increment. The area baseline is bounding area multiplied by a calibrated unit-area coefficient and quantity. Layer terms scale that baseline using the selected copper counts. Finish can add a per-board amount, while impedance testing can add a batch amount. A schedule factor applies to the resulting subtotal when selected.

Read the range and breakdown together

The low and high totals are the model subtotal multiplied by one minus and one plus the configured uncertainty percentage. The per-board range divides the batch range by quantity. The contribution breakdown shows each modeled component as a percentage of the subtotal. These percentages are a view of the configured model, not independently measured factory accounting. Shipping, tax, and assembly are excluded unless a separately agreed quotation explicitly includes them.

Calibration must be based on comparable evidence

The operator can edit the coefficients in the WordPress RFQ settings. Calibration should use recent partner quotations with known dimensions, construction, quantity, currency, and scope. Test the model against held-out examples and record the calibration date. Do not tune a single coefficient to match unrelated builds with different testing, panelization, or material assumptions. The public page should not treat an old calibration as a fixed price commitment.

Turn the estimate into an exact request

Use Get an exact quote to transfer the entered requirements to the RFQ form. Include a regional stackup, outline, fabrication data, bend requirements, acceptance criteria, and delivery target. Ask the manufacturing partner to identify one-time charges, recurring charges, material substitutions, and exclusions. If assembly is required, add the BOM, placement data, and test instructions. Compare responses against that same package before making a procurement decision.

Related design decisions

Review the design guidelines, regional stackup guide, material-system requirements, and cost comparison guide alongside these results.

Questions about this tool